When Jesus was on earth He began gathering materials to build
His Church. 1*.
Building materials today, like brick, cement, wood, piping,
electric cable, plaster, and roofing differ very much in strength
and purpose. Although no material is perfect yet each one has been
tested to make sure it will be suitable for the job! The builder
knows where to use each material.
But the "Church" Jesus is building is not something made with
bricks and wood, it is a great "family" of PEOPLE that He is
bringing together "from every tribe and language and people and
nation." 2*.
Because we all have sinned 3*. none of the people Jesus chooses as "materials"
for His Church is perfect in themselves, but His FOUNDATION
is perfect! Jesus made this clear to His disciples one day
when He asked them who they thought He was. Peter stated a
wonderful truth when he answered, "You are the Christ, the Son
of the living God." Peter had believed this great truth that
God the Father in Heaven had revealed to him.
Some people would want us to think that Jesus then said to Peter,
"On you I will build My Church"! That is NOT what Jesus
said! Jesus said, "On this Rock I will build My Church" -
"The Rock" that Peter had just identified. 4*. The foundation of Jesus' Church is none
other than "the Christ, the Son of the living God" Himself!
5*.
Jesus knew Simon Peter was about to be proved weak and unstable -
he was poor building material yet
Jesus said, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And
when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to
death."
Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today,
you will deny three times that you know Me." 6*.
When the person sins who is trusting in Christ as his
sure foundation and Priest, he behaves in a very different way to
the person who is trusting in religion.
The one who really is trusting in Christ - the real Christian -
when he sins is not content to just to say "Sorry"! Like Peter, he
will want to leave the sinful way and "turn back" to
Jesus 7*. -
that is what "Repentance" means. 8*. Only genuine faith in Jesus Himself as the only
Priest and Saviour can convert the sinner into this kind of
"material" that is usable by Jesus in His Church. 9*.
The person who is not truly trusting in Jesus might often
"be sorry" for the wrong he does, but wants to continue to do those
wrong things! and maybe even thinks that by doing religious things
he can make satisfaction for his sins! 10*. No way! By refusing to trust
in Christ alone to save him he is depending on some other
foundation, so he is not a part of the Church "family" that
Jesus is bringing together that has true faith in Him.
2*.
Read in Luke chapter 22, verses 31-34 about the poor building material that Jesus is able to
choose because it is converted by faith in Him.
Bye for now,
John Nixon, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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Bible quotations from
N.I.V.
1 Matthew
16:18.
2 Revelation 5:9. 7:9-17.
Hebrews 2:10-13.
3 Romans 3:23.
4 Matthew 16:15-18. Isaiah
44:8.
5 1st Corinthians 3:11.
Matthew 7:24-25.
6 Luke 22:31-34. Matthew
16:21-23.
7 Acts 20:21.
8 Acts 3:19, 26. 1st
Thessalonians 1:9-10.
9 2nd Corinthians 5:17-21.
Ephesians 2:1-10.
10 Matthew
27:3-5.
